After two off years MSU Texas Mustangs picked 6th in Lone Star Conference men's basketball

Midwestern State's Ola Ayodele dribbles up court against West Texas A&M Saturday, Feb. 10, 2018, in D.L. Ligon Coliseum. Ayodele is the lone returnee who played minutes last season for the Mustangs.(Photo: Lauren Roberts/Times Record News)Buy Photo

For years Midwestern State would have some turnover in its roster and still be picked right at the top of the Lone Star Conference.

And the Mustangs had earned that benefit of the doubt. For five consecutive seasons from 2011-12 through 2015-16, they won more than 70 percent of their conference games each year.

But now MSU Texas has earned an underdog role. The record was an ugly 11-18 last season, the worst record since 2002-03. The Mustangs have gone 7-11 in the LSC for two consecutive years.

So it was no surprise the Mustangs were picked sixth in the Lone Star Conference preseason poll released this week. Texas A&M-Commerce is picked first followed by West Texas A&M, the champion in 2017-18, and Tarleton State. Angelo State was fourth and UT-Permian Basin fifth.

Reggie Reid of Commerce is the Preseason Player of the Year choice.

The top eight teams in the final conference standings qualify for the postseason tournament set for March 7-10, 2019, at Dr Pepper Arena in Frisco, Texas.

MSU Texas will have a home exhibition game on Nov. 5 (Wiley College) and then opens at home against Rogers State at 7 p.m. on Nov. 9.

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Nelson Haggerty had remade his Midwestern State roster for 2018-19 and hopes to get back to the winning side of the equation after a rare down season. Haggerty has a 146-68 record in seven seasons.(Photo: Lauren Roberts/Times Record News)